Stories

Capt. John Windler, Bomb. 321st BG, 447th BS, MTO WWII

John H Windler 16066940 enlisted into the Service on 28 January, 1942 at Cook County, Illinois as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp. Born in 1919 in Illinois, John had completed high-school, is White, a Citizen and was working in accounting and auditors. John was still single at enlistment.

John H Windler was a Commisioned Bombardier in the *** 321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squad ** flying COMBAT Missions in the Mediterranean Theatre in the B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber.

He graduated from Midland Air Force Base, TX in May of 1942,and called to active duty Nov. 1942. He arrived in Africa May of 1943 where he trained until he was assigned to 447th in Jan 1944. I found a photo of a bomb drop at Genzano Junction Italy, dated January 30th, 2 weeks after his arrival, even though that day was logged as poor results. He went on to a very successful record in his target accuracy flying with Lt Bounds and Maj. Sampson as pilots. (Feb 2, 44) He bombed Monte Cassino (March 15, 44) and his witnessing of Mt Vesuvius eruption and the events surrounding the bombing of Italian Viaduct as noted in Special Accounts of the 447th War Diary, May 28, 1944. Receiving an air medal on June 6th, 1944 and promotion to Capt. In July ’44 serving until his transfer out of squadron for rotation back to the US in Sept 1944, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross having fought in Battles of Sicily, Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno, S France and Air Battle Europe. Back home he went on the radio in Chicago to help with the sale of war bonds , with relief of active duty July 10, 1945/ 4 Sept. 1945

Capt. "Jack" Windler, 321st BG, 447th BS, MTO WWII

John H Windler 16066940 enlisted into the Service on 28 January, 1942 at Cook County, Illinois as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corp. Born in 1919 in Illinois, John had completed high-school, is White, a Citizen and was working in accounting and auditors. John was still single at enlistment.

John H Windler was a Commisioned Bombardier in the *** 321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squad ** flying COMBAT Missions in the Mediterranean Theatre in the B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber.

John H Windler was a Commisioned Bombardier in the *** 321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squad ** flying COMBAT Missions in the Mediterranean Theatre in the B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber.

Lt Jack Windler 1st shows up in the War-Diary on his FIRST Mission 21 Jan, 1944 (War-Diary actually shows him being assigned to the 447th on the 21st Jan. 1944) As a much needed Bombardier, he was thrown directly into the deep end of the pool! EIGHT Missions in Jan,

19 Jan. 1944 - A/C No.42-53371“Death Wind”

21 Jan. 1944 - A/C No. 41-13175 " The-St. Myrtle II"

22 Jan. 1944 - A/C No.41-30638

25 Jan. 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind”

27 Jan. 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind”

28 Jan. 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind”

30 Jan. 1944 - A/C No.43-53371 "Death Wind"

30 Jan. 1944 - A/C No.43-53371 "Death Wind" (Mission 2 that day)

***** WEDNESDAY 2 Feb. 1944 (War-Diary) *******

447th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order 246/mission 245) Group Mission # 208: 10 ships took part in raid on Albano R/J, Italy.Result of bombing excellent.The bombs of the first flight all hit in one concentration covering the assigned target. The bombs of the second flight were more widely scattered.Flak was fairly accurate, heavy guns all around target.We lead the formation, with Lt. Bounds and Major Sampson in the lead plane, and Lt. Windler as bombardier.Lt. Olson, plane 181, returned with its bombs, bomb sight stabilizer gyro went out.

2 Feb. 1944 - A/C No.43-53371 "Death Wind"

16 Feb. 1944 - A/C No.43-53371 "Death Wind"

20 Feb. 1944 - A/C No.43-53371 "Death Wind"

22 Feb. 1944 - A//C No.42-64695 ___________

**** 5 Combat Missions in March.....

1 April 1944 - A/C No. 41-13181 “The Sophisticated Lady"

7 April 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind”

8 April 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind”

12 April 1944 - A/C No. 42-53371 “Death Wind” ~~~~~~~~~~~

***** May 4 Combat Missions and ONE Huge-Score !!!

28 May, 1944 447th BS War Diary:Special Accounts: ______

Capt. Bounds led the mission perfectly.Lt. Windler, his bombardier, scored a “shock”when he hit the southwest end of the bridge, the exact part of the bridge he was briefed to hit. ______________ (and)

. Capt. Bound’s plane was the only one of our Squadron to drop bombs on the target, but luckily he had Lt. Windler as bombardier who in all his missions with thisSquaron has missed his target only once.

3 June 1944 WAR-Diary;

447th BS War Diary: Today’s flight training consisted of local test flights and local transition.Capt Olson, conducted a class on formation assembly, and landing procedure for 27 pilots and 27 co-pilots.Lt. Windler, held a class for six new bombardiers on target identification, use of computers and bombs racks.